Nine Inch Nails had previously announced a return to touring (with a lineup of past NIN collaborators and members of King Crimson and Telefon Tel Aviv), headlining major American fests including Lollapalooza and Outside Lands.

But his Tumblr note is Reznor's first hint of new NIN music since 2008's "The Slip." Previously, he'd worked on several acclaimed soundtracks for "The Social Network" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," and an EP and album from How to Destroy Angels, his side project with wife Mariqueen Maandig, composer Atticus Ross and designer Rob Sheridan.

Reznor worked on the new Nine Inch Nails record with Ross and longtime collaborator Alan Moulder. No release date is specified yet, but it continues Columbia's recent streak of releases from major electronic acts, including Daft Punk and Depeche Mode.

Reznor's full note is below, and should be enough to balm fans' wounds at being deceived for this long.

“I’ve been less than honest about what I’ve really been up to lately. For the last year I’ve been secretly working non-stop with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder on a new, full-length Nine Inch Nails record, which I am happy to say is finished and frankly ... great. This is the real impetus and motivation behind the decision to assemble a new band and tour again. My forays into film, HTDA and other projects really stimulated me creatively and I decided to focus that energy on taking Nine Inch Nails to a new place. Here we go!”